Winship-Robbins Elementary School District

The California Constitution requires that public education be provided to students free of charge, unless a charge is specifically authorized by law for a particular program or activity. Therefore, the Winship-Robbins Elementary School District may not charge fees for school programs and extracurricular activities, except for those programs or activities where a fee is specifically authorized by law.

The law does allow school districts to request voluntary donations and engage in fundraising activities and programs. These donations and fundraising financial contributions are voluntary, and all students will be allowed to participate in school activities and extracurricular activities regardless of whether the parent or legal guardian makes a donation or contribution.

The fees, charges, and deposits that are legally authorized by law are as follows:

• Charges for food served to students, subject to free and reduced price meal program eligibility and other restrictions specified in law. (Education Code sections 38082 and 38084)
• Paying the replacement cost for District books or supplies loaned to a student that the student fails to return or that is willfully cut, defaced, or otherwise injured, up to an amount not to exceed $10,000. (Education Code section 48904)
• Fees for field trips and excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities, as long as no student is prevented from making the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds. (Education Code section 35330)
• Fees for school camp programs, so long as no student is denied the opportunity to participate because of nonpayment of the fee. (Education Code section 35335)
• Medical or hospital insurance for field trips that is made available by the school district. (Education Code section 35331)
• Charges for required medical and accident insurance for athletic team members, so long as there is a waiver for financial hardship (Education Code section 32221)
• Reimbursement for the direct cost of materials provided to a student for property the student has fabricated from such materials for his/her own possession and use, such as wood shop, art, or sewing projects kept by the student (Education Code section 17551)
• Reimbursement for the actual cost of duplicating public records, student records, or a prospectus of the school curriculum (Education Code section 49091.14; Government Code section 6253)
• Fees for transportation to and from school and transportation between school and regional occupational centers, programs, or classes, as long as the fee does not exceed the statewide average nonsubsidized cost per student and provided there is a waiver provision based on financial need (Education Code section 39807.5)

Field trips are a special part of your child's education. We enjoy having field trips when possible to reinforce what is learned in the classroom, to reward academic achievement, and to introduce new concepts, facts and ideas to students. If a child stays at school, special arrangements must be made for his/her supervision. Being absent just to avoid a field trip is not an option; by law, children must attend school. We must have on file a "field trip permission slip" for each field trip signed by the parent or guardian before a student will be permitted to attend these events. Permission must be in writing; it will not be granted by a telephone call. These slips will usually be handed out to students at least five (5) school days prior to the trip, but sometimes opportunities come up that can't be planned ahead. Field trip permission slips must be returned right away in order that we can plan for chaperones, lunch, transportation and any fees. Please be sure to fill out medical information and emergency phone numbers. The only exception for "each field trip" is for daily/weekly walks, which are repeated throughout the year. In this case, a slip covering the entire year will suffice. Parent drivers must file proof of the required amounts of insurance, a copy of their DMV printout and fill out proper forms. Please see the secretary at your school to obtain these forms prior to the day of the trip. 

Our school libraries are committed to providing a broad range of reading material for our students. Reading is fundamental for a successful life. Classrooms may visit the libraries each week. When your child brings a library book home, please remember:

1. Read to your child every day.
2. Keep library books in a safe place.
3. Treat books with care: clean hands and gentle use.
4. Return books on time.
5. Be prepared to pay for lost or damaged books.
6. Most of all, enjoy reading!

Winship-Robbins Schools sponsor both boys and girls sports programs throughout the year. Boys' sports may include softball, basketball, flag football, and wrestling. Girls' sports are volleyball and basketball. Co-ed soccer and softball teams are sometimes included in the sports program as well. Each school holds dances for students in the upper grades during the school year. Eligibility requirements for participation in extracurricular events include:

• a 1.75 grade point average in class work
• a good attendance record (less than 7 absences for the current trimester) and have attended school the day of the event
• less than 2 citations for the current trimester
• completion of a sports contract for sports participation
• student may not have dropped out of a previous sport during the current school year for other than a medical reason

We welcome parent volunteers as coaches and chaperones in order to make these events happen. Parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from games and dances. 

Prior to participating in the 8th Grade Diploma and Promotion Ceremony and attendant activities, and prior to receiving a Winship-Robbins Eighth Grade Diploma, 8th grade students must meet the following criteria:

1. A student must pay all outstanding charges and return all school property.
2. A student on suspension at the time of the promotion ceremony shall not participate.
3. An inter-district student must have been enrolled and in attendance at a school site no later than the beginning of the last trimester of school attendance.
4. Students attending promotion ceremonies must attend rehearsals and must behave appropriately during the rehearsals and at the promotion ceremonies.

All students must meet the requirements below:

1. A cumulative grade point average of 1.75 must be maintained during the eighth grade year.
2. The student must have a school attendance record of 85 percent (85%) of the days in which a pupil is enrolled for the current school year. Absences due to school-sponsored trips and/or activities are not counted as absences toward the 85% percent attendance requirement. Students temporarily disabled by accident or by illness may receive Home/Hospital instruction when a student is expected to be out of school for two (2) weeks or longer. Independent Study programs may also be initiated to accommodate students with special circumstances.
3. Students must prepare and deliver a presentation at the promotion ceremony. Those who choose to not comply will receive the same certificate as the other honorees but will be unable to participate in end of year activities including the walk across the stage.
4. Special Education student must meet requirements as set forth by the Individual Education Program (IEP).

A District appeals process is provided to cover extenuating circumstances pertaining to a student’s attendance/grade point average requirements. All appeals shall be submitted in writing to the Winship-Robbins Board of Trustees no later than eight attendance days prior to the promotion ceremony. A copy must be sent to the school site principal.

Please label all personal items such as clothing, water bottles, and lunch boxes with your child's name. If a personal item is lost, please contact your child's classroom teacher and/or the office to see if the item has been found. 

Students should not bring their own personal entertainment items to school. This includes balls, toys, Frisbees, water pistols, trading cards, roller blades, skateboards, etc. For obvious safety reasons, knives, guns, bullets or caps, beepers, matches, walkie-talkies, spray paint cans, laser pointers, etc. are not allowed at school at any time. In addition, students should never bring valuable items to school such as large amounts of money, CD players, I-pods, cameras, handheld video game devices, etc. Items such as these tend to create disputes and interfere with the school routine. If these items are brought to school they will be confiscated and turned into the office until parents can pick them up. Permission to bring such items for a specific purpose may be obtained from the classroom teacher. These items may not be taken outside on the playground or used on the bus. Also see “Telephone Use” and “Cell Phone Use” on the next page. 

Children who live in the Winship-Robbins School District may be eligible for bus transportation. Inter-district transfer students may also be eligible when arrangements can be made to correspond to the schedule. Students not being picked up or dropped off at their normal times must have written permission from the parents. Bus rules and regulations are outlined in the discipline matrix. Riding the bus is a privilege that may be withdrawn for violation of the rules. 

Winship-Robbins School participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). We provide healthy, nutritious meals to our students that fall within the regulations and guidelines of the NSLP. Please direct all questions regarding the NSLP to the Principal at either school site. Free and reduced priced meals are available for those who qualify under the NSLP guidelines.

If your child ordinarily purchases lunch at the cafeteria and is late for school please call the office to order lunch for your child.

PLEASE NOTE: We DO NOT allow anyone to charge for their lunch. All lunches must be paid for on the day the child eats OR parents can prepay for school lunches. Reminders will be sent home with the child when there are few lunches remaining.

• Full breakfast including milk or juice: $2.00
• Full lunch including milk: $3.00
• Milk only: $.50

We are pleased to issue students textbooks and other materials. Textbooks will be assigned by a number and each student will be expected to keep possession of his book until it is returned. They will also have access to library equipment and books, PE equipment, computers and other educational tools. We ask that students treat these items as if they were their own. Students who choose to deliberately damage or destroy this equipment will be held responsible for the cost of replacement. Students will also be required to pay for any lost books or materials before report cards are issued. 

Students may make only supervised telephone calls and only in the event of an emergency. Last-minute after school plans do not constitute an emergency. Please have your child plan ahead as permission to attend an event must be written. If you need to contact your child while at school, please call the office. Students are encouraged not to bring cell phones to school; if a cell phone is brought to school, it must remain off and in the student's backpack. If it is turned on, even on the bus, staff will confiscate the phone and the student will face the consequences per the discipline matrix. The school is not responsible if the cell phone is stolen or damaged. 

• During school hours, until the last bus leaves, cell phones
  • must be turned off.
  • must be stored in a secure location.
  • must never be visible.
  • can never be used unless permission is given by a teacher or other staff member
• Cell phones should not be in view or used while on the school bus.
• The School District assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones.
• Cell phones should not be utilized in a school emergency situation unless the student is instructed to do so by a staff member.

Again, the School District discourages students from bringing cell phones to school. Even during after school events and extra-curricular activities, the students are always under the supervision of a responsible adult and phone service is readily available. Students who choose to bring a cell phone to school and then violate the above guidelines, will have their cell phones confiscated, and the parent will be required to pick up the phone in the office. If a student violates any of the above guidelines, the student will not be allowed to have a cell phone while at school and will be subject to disciplinary action according to the Discipline Matrix.